Dumping-trap.



A C. DUNLAP.

DUMPING TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 19,1914.

Patented Feb. 2,- 1915.

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A. c. DUNLAP.

DUMPING TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED JAIL-19 1914. 1,126,962. 7 Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

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DUIVIPING-TRALE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

Application filed January 19, 1914. Serial No. 813,025.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALVIN C. DUNLAP, a citizen of the United States, residing at Berkeley, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dumping- Traps, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improve ments in dumping traps and has relation more particularly to a device of this general character especially designed and adapted for use in connection with the scrapers generally employed in excavating work; and the object of the invention is to provide a device of this general character having novel and improved means whereby it may be readily and conveniently assembled and whereby it may be transported with convenience and facility from one location to another, as the necessities of practice may require.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved dumping trap whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device is rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, all as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of the invention will be carefully defined in the appended claim.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, 1 will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a dumping trap constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention, the bridges or approaches being shown in frag ment; Fig. 2 is a view in top plan of the device as illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional View taken substantially on the line 8-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. A is a transverse sectional view taken substantially central of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in elevation and partly in section illustrating the retaining means for the traps, as herein disclosed; and Fig. 6 is a view in front elevation of the parts as illustrated in Fig. 5.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings. 1 denotes a platform of predetermined configuration and dimensions but herein shown of rectangular formation and being provided at substantially its longitudinal center with the transverse opening or trap 2 adapted to be closed by the doors 3-3 hingedly connected, as at 4:, to the longitudinal walls of the opening or trap 2, such doors being adapted to drop downwardly relative to the platform 1, as is believed to be self-evident. As herein disclosed, the longitudinal walls of the opening or trap 2 is afforded by the transversely directed beams 5-5 suitably supported by the platform and projecting above and below such platform whereby a box is afforded to receive the excavated dirt which is adapted to be discharged through the opening or trap into a suitable vehicle positioned therebeneath. \Vhile the dirt or the like may be deposited within the box in any manner desired, the apparatus herein disclosed is especially designed for use in connection with the conventional scrapers. The end walls of the box are afforded by the beams 66 projecting above the upper surface of the platform 1 and positioned at the ends of the trap or opening 2.

As herein disclosed, the longitudinal marginal portions of the platform 1 are reinforced or braced by the elongated beams 7 tied or connected one with the other by the transverse girders 8, herein disclosed as arranged in pairs and disposed adjacent the opposite extremities of such platform 1. Operatively connected with the girders 8 at opposite sides of the platform 1 are the depending supporting members 9 of predetermined height and herein shown as substantially U-shaped in form and each comprising the spaced parallel elongated vertical members 10-10 and the horizontally disposed base member 11 on which is operatively mounted a suitable traction wheel 12. As is believed to be self-evident, the wheels 12 afiord a convenient means whereby the device may be transported with convenience from one locality to another, as the necessities of practice may require.

At a predetermined point above the platform 1 and at substantially the transverse center of the opening or trap 2 is the shaft 14, such shaft being disposed transversely of the platform 1 and spaced therefrom a sufficient distance as to in no wise interfere with the passage of a team therebeneath. Operatively connected with the shaft 1 1 at the requisite points thereon are the flexible members 15 which have their lower extremities operatively connected with the inner portions of the doors 3 adjacent the ends thereof, whereby upon proper rotation of the shaft 14 the doors may be properly closed and when in closed position may be maintained against opening and to withstand the weight of the teams passing thereover. This locking of the doorsis afforded through the medium of the ratchet mechanism 16, as is believed to be obvious. The shaft 14, as herein disclosed, is operatively supported by the frame members 17, herein shown as substantially in the form of an inverted V, with the lower portions of the stems 18 thereof detachably' connected to the platform 1, and at points directly above the'innermost elongated members 10 are the supporting members 9 whereby it will be readily perceived that the strains received byvthe frames 17 are imposed directly upon such supporting members 9, and thus relieve the platform 1 of substantially all weight other than that of the teams passing therering the doors 8-3.

over and the loads carried thereby.

The ratchet mechanism 16, hereinbefore referred to, coacts with a winding drum 19 ,operatively supported by a stub shaft 20 suitably connected to one of the stems 18 and the yertically'directed brace or, standard21 operatively connected with the platform 1, such shaft being capable of rotary, movement and, as herein disclosed, such movement of the shaft is created through the medium of the crank member 22. The drum 19 has operatively connected there- 7 with an extremity of the flexible member 23 which extends upwardly and around a grooved'pulley 24 suitably fixed to a projected extremity of the shaft 14, hereinbefore referred to, whereby it will be readily perceived that a convenient and effective means is afforded for properly manipulat- In order to provide means for the tender or operator to stand, I find it of advantage to haveprojecting outwardly from the longitudinal edges of the platform 1 thescaffolds 25 supported or braced in any manner which will operate with convenience.

In order that the teams may properly pass over the platform 1, it is necessary that suitable approaches or bridges be employed and, as herein disclosed, each of such approaches or bridges 26 is divided longitudinally into a plurality of sections 27 adapted to be maintained in operative or assembled relation through the medium of the tie bars 28 suitably projected through the stringers 29 of ordinary or preferred construction and in a manner which is believed to be t clearly apparent to those skilled in the art to which, my present invention appertains.

detachably engaged with the ends ofthe platform 1 and, as herein embodied, such engagement is afforded through the means of the downwardly. directed hooks 30, possessing requisite strength, carried by the upper end portions of the sections 27 of the approaches or bridges 26 and adapted to be accommodated within the loops or eyes afforded by the staple members 31 projecting outwardly from the adjacent edges of the platform 1.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a dumping trap constructed in accordance with my invention is of an extremely simple" and comparat vely inexpensive nature and is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and whereby it may be transported from one localityto another and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without material departure from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not'wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement andfornation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice.

Having thus fully describedmy invention what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent, is

A device of the character described comprising a platform having a transverse opening produced therein at substantially its center, supporting means for said platform positioned at opposite sides thereof and adjacent its ends, a box positioned within the transverse opening and projecting above and below the same, downwardly signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALVIN C. DUNLAP. Witnesses:

HENRY WIRKULA, IDA BONESTEEL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, 10.0. I 

